Welcome to My World

When people consider their favorite aspects of a film, they usually discuss the directing, acting, film score, or action stunts. What most don’t realize is that the reason the directing ties in so well with an actor’s presence, or why a film’s score connects beautifully with a well pictured shot, is all thanks to the cinematography.

There are many misconceptions as to what exactly cinematography is. Cinematography is often labeled as the reason why a film “looks pretty”. Meanwhile, the cinematographer’s aim is to help a person convey the idea of a film with a single or series of shots. He or she does this by arranging the perfect shot, the soul behind a true, brilliant shot is the “mise en scene“. The balance of a scene, the unbalance of a scene, the lines and the curves displayed; these are meant for the viewer’s interpretation to get a better understanding of the film’s tone and idea.

My blog is here to deliver these explanations and do a thorough analysis, exploration and appreciation for some of the most popular and even underrated cinematography shots of all time. Not all shots are created equal though, some posts will feature a single movie with consistent phenomenal scenes, while other posts will feature a theme of scenes from various films.

Why an arduous blog over film technicality? Uh, because it’s awesome, that’s why. You ever watch a film and listen to that crescendo of the orchestra as your protagonist finally makes it to the top of that stupid mountain? Then notice how beautiful the sky looks with the sun setting, and how detailed the blades of grass seem as she collapses from release? Then realize you forgot all about your student loans, your bombed physics exam, why your boyfriend didn’t call you back and how you gained so much weight when you’ve been so diligent with queso lately. That’s why! Film is my life, film is my safe place, specifically the mechanics and purposeful arrangements that make one so great.

I hope to reach an audience that is curious about film but not overly invested in it, I don’t want to repeat the same knowledge another film buff would know themselves. Instead, I want to expand the film net and capture a group that will be intrigued and learn from my blog that cinematography is so much more than we give credit to.